Iran Executes Man Accused of Collaborating with U.S. and Israel

The Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out the execution of a man, claiming he had ties to the United States and Israel.

Majid Adineh was put to death early on Sunday at Karaj Penitentiary, located to the west of Tehran. This incident marks the 29th execution since the protests that began on January 19, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) organization.

The Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, reported that Adineh was arrested alongside another individual on January 9 in Alborz province. They were allegedly found with a “revolver, ammunition, two tasers, two tear gas canisters, a rechargeable chainsaw, and a bottle of gasoline.”

Reactions on social media highlighted Adineh as “a brave Iranian patriot from Karaj” who stood up for freedom. Many appealed to remember his name and honor his memory.

According to reports, Adineh was convicted of various charges, including “operational action in favor of hostile groups” and “war through deliberate arson.” The state media described him as affiliated with “terrorist groups” from a neighboring country.

Human rights organizations express concern that such labels are often used to paint protestors and political prisoners as threats to peace, as noted by Iran International.

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, remarked on the execution, suggesting it mirrors other cases in Iran where such actions are taken in “secrecy” and “darkness.”

Alinejad stated, “Another young protester has been executed at dawn. Majid Adineh, detained on January 9 in Mohammadshahr, Karaj, was reportedly executed in secrecy and near-total silence.” She emphasized that most people only learned of his existence posthumously, illustrating how the regime operates.

Iranian officials attribute over 3,000 deaths from unrest to “acts of terrorism” supposedly instigated by the U.S. and Israel. However, various human rights groups and U.S. authorities have indicated that the actual death toll from the protests earlier this year is likely much higher.